The relationship between Russia and Africa has long been a positive one for both parties. Russia does not have the best reputation across the world at the moment. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia has been hit with wave after wave of sanctions that have effectively strangled the nation’s energy sector. However, some nations are still willing to do business with Russia, such as the Republic of Congo. The pair have announced that the Pointe-Noire–Loutété–Maloukou-Tréchot oil pipeline is set to start construction in late 2025.
Russia has seen its energy sector all but vanish overnight due to the new wave of sanctions
When Russia first invaded Ukraine, the international community condemned Moscow and imposed a wave of sanctions aimed at several Russian sectors. The latest round of sanctions has effectively cut off Russian energy from the international market.
Following the 19th round of sanctions imposed by the EU, and a failed summit between Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska, the United States imposed its own sanctions on Russian energy companies, leading to the international energy market suffering the consequences of not being able to rely on Russian energy, for the time being.
The hope will be to force Putin to reconsider his “special military operation” in Ukraine
The hope for the international community, not to mention the Ukrainian people, is that the sanctions will force Putin to reconsider his stance towards the war. With that reality all but failing to materialize, the sanctions have all but stopped the flow of russian energy resources into the world. But Africa does not always follow the international trends, not to mention the fact that Russia is part of BRICS, and an international trade and business initiative.
Russia and Congo have stated that the energy pipeline in Africa is on schedule
Russia and the Congo have said that the planned Pointe-Noire–Loutété–Maloukou-Tréchot oil pipeline is set to begin construction by the end of the year, with an expected commissioning of the project in 2029. Russia is planning to establish a sanctions-protected channel for petroleum product supplies by building an astonishingly large pipeline in the Congo.
A deal for the project was signed in Moscow in 2024, enabling Russia to become an established regional partner for the African energy sector. The parties responsible for the implementation of the project are Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey LLC and the National Petroleum Company of the Congo, which will act as the project’s customer.
Russia will hold the majority stake in the Pointe-Noire–Loutété–Maloukou-Tréchot oil pipeline
Russia will hold a 90% stake in the project, with Congo holding the remaining 10%. To successfully implement the project, a concession agreement will be concluded to form a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) joint venture. Russia will hold the rights to operate the pipeline for 25 years, setting the nation up to become a major driver in Africa’s energy ambitions.
Other nations are following the African trend and are establishing energy partnerships with Russia, such as Kazakhstan, which has agreed to jointly develop a new cross-border gas pipeline with Russia.
Russia’s government has praised the new pipeline as a potential driver in Africa’s energy sector
Russia’s Ambassador to the Congo, Georgy Chepik, has noted that the pipeline will run between two of Congo’s largest cities and economic hubs. With the EU planning a joint purchasing platform for non-Russian gas, the Russian energy sector has been contemplating measures that will enable it to still commission projects in friendly nations, such as the Pointe-Noire–Loutété–Maloukou-Tréchot oil pipeline in Congo. With construction set to kick off by the end of the year, Russia can still rely on Africa for a friendly face and an open and welcoming environment.
